National Sleep Foundation

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Chapter 5: Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

Treatment

How is shift work disorder treated?

Strategies to improve sleep for those with shift work disorder include:

Treatment is designed to help synchronize shift workers to their required schedules.

Avoiding natural bright light when the individual is preparing for sleep may be the most important consideration for treating Shift Work Disorder. Bright light exposure regimens have proven to be effective in helping to synchronize shift workers to their schedules.102 103

Additional strategies to improve sleep for those with shift work disorder include the following (also see Chapter 2 for more information on sleep habits):104 105

• Educating family and friends about the shift worker’s the need for uninterrupted daytime sleep.

Patients who do not respond adequately to behavioral and environmental approaches may need pharmacotherapy. Sedative hypnotics may temporarily improve daytime sleep, especially during rotating or short, irregular shift work.
Wake-enhancing medications are used to increase alertness during working hours.106 The Food and Drug Administration has approved modafinil and armodafinil to treat the excessive daytime sleepiness that is associated with shift work sleep disorder.107 108